Premier League clubs are locked int about about how to resume the seasonCredit: Getty Images - Getty

There are issues around training, testing of players, hygiene and medical protocols at training grounds and stadiums, that are complex and need considerable thought.

What we do know is the new Government-imposed lockdown is now fixed until May 7.

By this date players will not have trained for six to seven weeks and what we need to know is that if the lockdown is lifted, will social distancing still be in place?

We have to consider what training will look like after May 7, as players will need to be match-fit to start the season again in June.

Players will have been able to retain some physical fitness at home.

But if social-distancing rules are still in place, physical match-play training will not be allowed — you can’t tackle from two metres away!

So, how match-fit will players be if the season commences, as we all hope it will, by mid-June?

WILL TESTING BE AVAILABLE?

Then there is the question of coronavirus testing.

Proper testing has to be in place for both players and staff.

It will have to be done centrally by the Premier League to ensure every club has the same test.

As this isn’t currently available for all our brilliant NHS frontline workers, how can it be available for our players?

Even if testing is available, we need to know how often we have to test everyone? Is it daily?

If a player gets on the coach to go to a game and starts coughing, we need to know immediately if he has the infection and, more importantly, if he has spread it to anyone else.

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We also presume schools will be open at some point and lots of players get coughs or colds from their children, who pick them up from their school friends.

So those players will need to know ASAP if this is a “standard” cough or cold, or the infection, to be sure they do not spread it.

Otherwise they could put themselves in self-isolation for 14 days without knowing if they need to be or not?

This will not be fair on clubs who have a number of players in isolation, despite games having restarted.

So testing is key but will it be available?

There is also the staging of matches.

There needs to be strict medical and hygiene protocols in place at all of our stadiums.

These must have Government, Sports Grounds Safety Authority and police approval.

Police officers will need to be at games even if they are behind closed doors as some supporters will travel to the stadium, even if they cannot come in to watch!

But the police will want to ensure attending matches does not drain resources away from other matters.

Everyone at the stadium — and even behind closed doors this is about 300-500 people — including security, staff, medical officers, players, referees and media, will have to have temperature checks, fill out health questionnaires and observe social distancing.

Player areas will have to be sterile and changing rooms extended.

There will be minimal contact between players and everyone else, with pitchside access restricted and no handshakes.

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